In their annual roundup of tech products, the editors of Cnet have declared the Samsung Galaxy S3 the best product of 2012.

“It took years of iPhone dominance and many months of Android market leadership for a phone with Google’s mobile operating system to knock the iPhone off its pedestal,” read the review.

The iPhone 5 came in second, with Google’s Nexus 7, the iPad mini and Motorola Droid Razr Maxx rounding out the list.

The roundup garnered much debate in the comments section — but lists are just that: a handful of people’s opinions. And in this case, its a group of folks that deal with gadgets all day. That makes them knowledgeable about features, but it also means that they see the products through the lens of a hyper-user — not necessarily a casual one.

I have a Galaxy S3 and usually love it (It does crash more than I’d like). But I told my mom, a very basic smartphone user, to get an iPhone 5. The S3 is a more complicated and because of the less regulated nature of the Android operating system — in comparison to Apple’s iOS — has more quirks. Comparatively, Apple keeps its phone simple and that’s something many consumers like.

As is the case with any gadget, get in the stores and try them yourself. And don’t be afraid to exercise the exchange policy.

While Microsoft’s Windows 8 topped the list of “most influential tech product”, down the list at #5 was MakerBot’s Replicator 3D printer. These devices will show up on these sorts of lists more and more.

“Additive printing” as it’s usually called is the process of creating an object by layering the material of the object. A jet sprays a substrate — plastic, metal, silicon, even chocolate — in very precise patters as the material builds on itself.

Manufacturers have implemented the technology in their warehouses and R/D departments for some time, but the costs have come down enough that more and more consumers can afford one in their home. A future of “printing” off new plates and forks — or a big chocolate rabbit — for a big dinner party is not far off.